RAICES

1. Effects of Habitat Perturbation on Rodent Population Dynamics and Risk of Rodent-borne Diseases RAICES Daniel Bausch Daniel.bausch@phe.gov.uk Claudia Guezala maria.c.guezala.fn@mail.mil

2. RAICES • Red Americana de Investigación de Cambios en la Ecología y Salud (American Network for Investigation of Changes in Ecology and Health): www.raices-ecochangeresearchnet.com • Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru & the U.S. • Study: assess the ecology and societal vulnerabilities to rodent-borne diseases due to global change and man-made disturbance

3. Objectives • Evaluate the effect of man-made landscape changes on the dynamics of rodent communities • To develop low-tech, locally adaptable survey tools to assess real and perceived societal impacts and vulnerabilities to habitat perturbation • To establish a multinational and multidisciplinary network to study the effects of habitat perturbation on rodent dynamics, rodent-borne diseases and other zoonoses: •  aid shaping policies and prevent negative impacts on human health

4. South America ECUADOR Maxus Highway 1 Peru BOLIVIA Villa Tunari – San Ignacio Moxos Highway 2 PERU Inter-Oceanic Highway, Southern Amazon 3 LEGEND Inter – Oceanic Highway (IOH) Study Area 4

5. Study Components • Land use changes along the construction of highways • Animal (rodents) surveys • Peru: 3 samplings per year, 4 study sites, 3 different levels of disturbance • Bolivia & Ecuador: 2 samplings per year, 1 site • Human (social) surveys • Peru: 4 study sites • Interviews, focus groups

6. Animal component Razuri H, et al.; Andes hantavirus variant in rodents, southern Amazon Basin, Peru. Emerging infectious diseases. 2014 Feb;20(2):257. Neacomys amoenus Necromys lenguarum Andes and Rio Mamore Hantavirus in Peru  Madre de Dios Oligoryzomys microtis

7. Science: Animal component (I) PERU: • Land use changes happened fast: mainly slash and burn for agriculture • 18 different species trapped, many known pathogen reservoirs • Rodents known as carriers of zoonotic pathogens were present in higher numbers in edge and disturbed habitats, mostly found during dry season. • Villagers spend more time in the forest during dry season, potentially increasing contact between humans and rodents and risk of pathogen transmission and disease.

8. Science: Animal component (II) ECUADOR & BOLIVIA: • Extensive inventories of small rodents of medical importance, now associated with the zoonotic diseases they may carry • Interdisciplinary: Joint collaboration between ecology and health professionals • Presence of rodents linked to man-made disturbance and risk of pathogen transmission • Local expertise now available for future studies

9. Science: Human component (I) Perception of communities after the construction of the road: • Less availability of natural products from the forest: fish and meat, timber, fruits and vegetables • Arrival of migrants (positive and negative) • More job opportunities • Change in health risks and access to health services • More access to variety of products (fresh produce)

10. Science: Human component (II) • There are consequences for the environment • Slash and burn for agriculture • Soil depletion • Decrease in biodiversity • Flooding in some areas “Before, everything was natural, papayas and all… you could get them naturally. Now they put agrochemicals to the land” (01/03) “We are indifferent to our environment. We do not see what is happening to our environment” (01/03)

11. Science: Human component (III) Perceived health risks / threats: • ~ 30% have no access to health insurance • Dengue: 40%. • Road accidents: 7% • Diarrhea: 3% • 90% think rodents transmit diseases, but they don’t know how, or how to prevent these • Health services lack basic diagnostic/treatment tools

12. Science: Human component (IV) • Health is important to locals; and nutrition is important to keep them healthy • They need health strategies tailored for the local individuals/families • Communities are optimistic, trusting more in local authorities

13. Science Capacity Building New infrastructure for research: • Trained team of professionals from different disciplines/backgrounds • PUCE: New niche for research in land-use change and disease transmission • Creation of new BSL-3 laboratory in Yasuní scientific station • San Simon U: Collaborative work within different research centers / disciplines (Biology, Ecology, Health sciences)

14. SciencePolicy • Seminar nested in Conservation Biology congress introducing the One Health concept to conservationists (Peru: BIOCON) • Climate and Health Summit 2014 – The Global Climate and Health Alliance (Pre-COP meeting): Initiative for joint work between Peruvian Ministries of Health and Environment • RAICES researcher participates in the IPBES (UN) Assessment for the Americas: Inform policy and decision makers in ecosystem services and its usefulness in conservation of habitats • American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene • Meetings in USA and Peru

15. Next Steps • Complete the land-change characterization using Remote Sensing techniques  • Complete longitudinal and by-species analysis to assess how changes in land and climate affect rodent assemblages • Pathogen testing: Serology (IgG) and PCR against known rodent-borne pathogens • Construct a prediction model using environmental, climatic and diagnostic data  describe associations between land use changes and disease emergence • Follow up in same study sites 5- 10 years from now to assess longer-term changes • Publish vulnerability assessment tool and health and well-being manuscript • Feedback to communities and Ministries of Health and Environment

16. Limitations and Insights in Bridging Science and Policy • Project conceived by scientists in scientific, not policy, framework • Objectives largely set by investigators, not government or community • Policy interactions largely functional and/or post-hoc • No policy makers on team or regular forum for communication and input • Challenges of longitudinal studies: Patience for data and conclusions • New territory for IAI • Socio-economic, legal, and security implications of project

17. GRACIAS